Systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for providing emergency messages to a mobile device. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for communicating emergency messages is provided comprising a mobile device comprising an emergency message application and a personal emergency message transceiver, an emergency message control center, wherein the emergency message application is enabled to receive a plurality of emergency messages generated by the emergency message control center.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/377,383, filed Dec. 13, 2016 (allowed, U.S. Pat. No. 10,149,129),which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/606,403,filed on Jan. 27, 2015, and entitled “Systems and Methods for ProvidingEmergency Messages to a Mobile Device,” which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/943,598 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,942,666),filed on Jul. 16, 2013, and entitled “Systems and Methods for ProvidingEmergency Messages to a Mobile Device,” which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/102,849 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,489,063),filed on May 6, 2011, entitled “Systems and Methods for ProvidingEmergency Messages to a Mobile Device,” which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/356,358 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,666,357, filed Jan. 20, 2009, and entitled “System and Method ForTransmitting An Emergency Message Over An Integrated Wireless Network,”which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/000,477(now U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,501), filed Oct. 24, 2001, and entitled “Systemand Method For Transmitting An Emergency Message Over An IntegratedWireless Network,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety as if fully set forth below.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to communicating emergencymessages and, in particular, to a system and method for generating andtransmitting an emergency message through an integrated wirelesscommunication network.

2. Related Art

Emergency messages are generated to indicate that a person is in need ofassistance or that an emergency condition is present at property. Theemergency message is transmitted to parties capable of renderingassistance.

One example of a conventional personal emergency message is a 911telephone call. Emergency 911 telephone calls are quickly directed toswitchboard operators who are trained to determine the nature of theemergency condition, to determine which type of assistance is requiredand who should provide the assistance (e.g. firemen, paramedics,police), and where the emergency assistance should be directed to suchthat the person making the 911 telephone call receives appropriate andtimely assistance.

However, emergency 911 telephone calls are limited in the ability toobtain information from the caller requesting emergency assistance.First, the caller must be able to verbally communicate the nature of theemergency to the switchboard operator. Thus, additional information thatmay be important could, in some instances, not be available if thecaller cannot talk or is having difficulty communicating. Second,location information can be determined if the telephone is a fixedlocation type device that can be traced to a known location or address.The location of Cellular and mobile telephones cannot be determinedunless the caller is capable of telling the operator where the caller iscalling from. Furthermore, in many situations, it would be advantageousto have access to other types of information regarding the personcalling for emergency assistance. Some illustrative examples of suchinformation include persons to contact in an emergency, doctor's name,home address or allergies.

Another example of a conventional emergency message is an alarm from ahome or business security system. Various automated detection devicessense conditions within the home or business, and summon emergencyassistance in the event that one of the monitored parameter areviolated. Examples include smoke detected by a smoke detector, openingof a door or window detected by a contact sensor, pressure detected by apressure sensor, sound detected by a sound sensor, breaking of aninfrared light beam detected by an infrared detector and/or motiondetected by a motion sensor. Detection of a violation of a monitoredparameter may indicate an emergency situation where emergency assistanceshould be provided to the monitored home or business. Additionally,there may be a personal help request device, such as a panic alarm,special entry code entered on a key pad, a touch button or the like thatis configured to indicate that a person in the home or building requiresemergency assistance.

However, such conventional home or business security systems are notsecure in that such conventional systems communicate with the securitymonitoring personnel over a conventional telephone system. Thus, damageto the serving telephone system may prevent delivery of the emergencymessage. For example, an intruder may sever the telephone lines prior toentry into the home or business. Or, a fire may disable the outsidephone lines before the fire spreads into the home or building.

Also, such conventional home or business security systems are laborintensive and expensive to install. Hard wire connections are installedbetween each detecting device and a central security control box. Thecontrol box, coupled to the telephone system, is configured to dial upthe security monitoring personnel to request emergency assistance whenone of the detectors detects a violation of the monitored criteria.Therefore, many hours of installation labor are required to install evena relatively simple home or business security system.

Additionally, such conventional home or business security systems arenot automatically configured to contact selected persons when one of thedetectors detects a violation of the monitored parameter. Some securitymonitoring services do call predefined telephone numbers to notify aperson of the request for emergency assistance. For example, a homeownermay be called at work by the person monitoring the security system.However, if the homeowner is not at the work telephone, the homeownermay not be timely notified.

Furthermore, such conventional home or business security systems are notconfigured to receive and respond to remote communications from thehomeowner or business employee. For example, the homeowner may desire toauthorize a new security password on a temporary basis. Or, thehomeowner may desire to remotely deactivate (or activate) the securitysystem rather than having to enter the home to manually enter, via akeyboard, the security password. Furthermore, such passwords must bemanually entered within a limited time period (otherwise, an intrusioninto the home is assumed). The limited time provided for entering thesecurity code may be particularly inconvenient when the person isbringing into the house (or removing from the house) a number of items,such as boxes, packages, furniture and/or children.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry for providingan emergency message system that more accurately indicates the nature,location and other pertinent information of an emergency situation.Also, there is a heretofore unaddressed need in the industry to providea less expensive to install emergency message home or business securitysystem. Also, there is a heretofore unaddressed need to provide a moreconvenient and effective emergency message system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the inadequacies and deficiencies of theprior art as discussed hereinabove. One embodiment of the presentinvention, an emergency message system, provides a system and method forproviding an emergency message such that the appropriate emergencyassistance is dispatched in response to the emergency message. Theemergency message system employs a transceiver network with a pluralityof transceivers. A plurality of transceivers are coupled to detectiondevices at a plurality of customer premises. In one embodiment, onetransceiver is coupled to one detection device. The transceivers eachhave unique identification codes. In one embodiment, transceiversbroadcast to and receive radio frequency (RF) signals. A site controllerprovides communications between the plurality of transceiver units andan emergency message management controller residing in an emergencymessage system control center.

One embodiment of the present invention can also be viewed as providinga method for communication emergency messages. In this regard, themethod can be broadly summarized by the following steps. Generating anemergency message with an emergency message transceiver having at leastan identification code uniquely assigned to the emergency messagetransceiver, and communicating the emergency message from the emergencymessage transceiver to a network transceiver such that the emergencymessage is communicated over an intermediate communication system to anemergency message management controller.

Another embodiment of the present invention can be broadly summarized bythe following steps. Receiving an emergency message broadcasted from anemergency message transceiver having at least an identification codeuniquely assigned to the emergency message transceiver, determininginformation relevant to the received emergency message by associatingthe information with the identification code of the emergency messagetransceiver, and communicating the emergency message and the relevantinformation such that assistance is summoned in response to the receivedemergency message.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the followingdetailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. It is intended that all such features and advantages beincluded herein within the scope of the present invention and protectedby the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scalerelative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the invention. Furthermore, likereference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of a pluralitytransceivers residing transceiver network configured to detect andcommunicate emergency messages.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating selected transceivers coupled tomonitoring devices coupled to the transceivers of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of anemergency message system control center in communication with thetransceiver network of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating alternative intermediatecommunication systems employed by the emergency message system of FIGS.1-3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an emergencymessage transceiver coupled to an always-on appliance unit residing inthe customer premises.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a personalemergency message transceiver.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart 700 illustrating a process for communicating anemergency message generated by one of the transceivers of FIGS. 1-2 and4-6.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a smartphone basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 in communication with theemergency message system control center 300 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a laptop basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 in communication with theemergency message system control center 300 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a tablet basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 in communication with theemergency message system control center 300 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a smartphone basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 in communication with theemergency message system control center 300 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

a. Overview of the Emergency Message System

In general, the present invention relates to a system and method forcommunicating an emergency message that is transmitted from atransceiver, through a transceiver network, to an emergency messagesystem control center so that emergency assistance is dispatched inresponse to the emergency message. The emergency message, in oneembodiment, is generated in response to a monitor detecting a violationof a monitored criteria. In other embodiments, the emergency message isgenerated in response to actuation of a personal emergency messagedevice, a 911 call or upon detection of other signals indicating anemergency condition.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of a transceivernetwork 100 having a plurality of transceivers. Preferably, transceivers102 a-102 f (emergency message transceivers) are configured toselectively broadcast and/or receive emergency messages using radiofrequency (RF) signals. A site controller 104 provides communicationsbetween a transceiver unit 106, via connection 108, and the emergencymessage system control center 300 (FIG. 3), via connection 110.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an emergencymessage transceiver system with transceivers 202 a-202 f coupled todetection devices 204 a-204 f residing in one of the exemplary customerpremises of FIG. 1. The customer premises 200 includes a wall-mountedbase station 206 to form an integrated security system 208.

Transceivers 202 a-202 f detect signals generated by the detectiondevices 204 a-204 f that indicate a violation of a monitored parameter,described in greater detail below. In response to receiving a signalfrom its respective detection device, the transceiver 202 a-202 ftransmits an emergency message via an RF signal 210 that is detected bytransmitter station 212. Transmitter station 212, located on a suitablehigh point, such as a tower 116 (see also FIG. 1), transmits an RFsignal 216 to the transceiver unit 106. The transceiver unit 106communicates the emergency message to the site controller 104 such thatthe emergency message is relayed on to the emergency message systemcontrol center 300 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of anemergency message system control center 300 in communication with thetransceiver network 100 (FIG. 1). The received emergency messages arereceived by an emergency message management controller 302, described ingreater detail below. The emergency message control room operators 304receive a processed emergency message from the emergency messagemanagement controller 302 and initiate appropriate actions in responseto the received emergency message. For example, an emergency messagereceived from the customer premises may indicate the presence of a fire.The emergency message control room operators 304 would then place arequest to the local fire department to render assistance at thecustomer premises 200.

b. Emergency Message Transceiver System Environment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of a transceivernetwork 100 in communication with a plurality of transceivers 102 a-102f (emergency message transceivers) residing at a plurality of customerpremises 103 a-103 f, respectively. For convenience of illustration, andfor convenience of explaining the operation and functionality of theemergency message system, only a few customer premises are illustratedon FIG. 1. A customer premise may be a home, a business or otherlocation. Furthermore, for convenience of illustration, only onetransceiver is illustrated at a customer premises 103 a-103 f.Typically, a plurality of transceivers would be coupled to acorresponding number of devices at the customer premises, onetransceiver per device, as will be described in greater detail below.

An emergency message system is configured to receive emergency messages,in a manner described below, from many hundreds of transceivers, evenmany thousands of transceivers, depending upon the particulararchitecture that the emergency message system is implemented in.Therefore, the explanation of the operation and functionality of theemergency message system described below is limited to a small segmentof the transceiver network 100 for convenience.

A first group of customer premises 103 a-103 f, each have at least onetransceiver 102 a-102 f, respectively. Each transceiver 102 a-102 f hasa unique, predefined identification code that resides in a memory in thetransceiver.

An emergency message transmitted from any one of the transceivers 102a-102 f is relayed to the emergency message management controller 302(FIG. 3) via one or more of the transceiver stations 112 a-112 c.Preferably, the transceivers broadcast the emergency message using asuitable radio frequency (RF) signal. The emergency message includes atleast the identification code of the transceiver generating theemergency message.

For example, transceivers 102 a, 102 b and 102 c are illustrated astransmitting emergency messages via RF signals 114 a, 114 b and 114 c,respectively. Similarly, transceivers 102 d, 102 e and 102 f broadcastemergency messages to transceiver station 112 b via RF signals 114 d,114 e and 114 f, respectively. A transceiver (not shown) in transceiverstation 112 a is illustrated as communicating a pollution informationmessage to transceiver station 112 b via signal 118 a. The transceivers102 a-102 f, and/or transceivers residing in the transceiver stations112 a-112 c, may be identical to each other or be configured to havedifferent characteristics, such as different bandwidths, frequenciesand/or signal broadcast strengths.

Each of the transceiver stations 112 a-112 c detects a broadcastedemergency message from a broadcasting transceiver 102 a-102 f, dependingupon the strength of the broadcasted emergency message and the distanceof the transceiver station 112 a-112 c from the broadcastingtransceiver. That is, a transceiver station 112 a-112 c detectsbroadcasted emergency messages from any transceivers and/or anytransceiver stations in its reception range. Preferably, transceiverstations 112 a-112 c reside at a suitably elevated location, such as ona tower 116, high building, mountain top or the like to facilitatereception and transmission of emergency messages. Emergency messagesfrom the transceivers 102 a-102 f are relayed by the transceiverstations 112 a-112 c to the transceiver unit 106 via RF signals 118a-118 c. Each transceiver station has a transceiver (networktransceiver) configured to communicate emergency messages with thetransceivers 102 a-102 f, transceiver stations, and/or at least onetransceiver unit 106. The transceivers residing in the transceiverstation may be the same as one of the transceivers 102 a-102 f, or beconfigured to have different characteristics such as differentbandwidths, frequencies and/or signal broadcast strengths. In someapplications, a unique identification code associated with thebroadcasting transceiver station is added to the emergency message.

For example, an emergency message detected by the transceiver station112 a is relayed to the transceiver station 112 c via RF signal 118 a.The emergency message is then relayed by the transceiver station 112 cto the transceiver unit 106 via RF signal 115 c. Similarly, an emergencymessage detected by the transceiver station 112 b is relayed to thetransceiver station 112 c via RF signal 118 b. Then, the emergencysignal is relayed by the transceiver station 112 c to the transceiverunit 106 via RF signal 118 c.

One embodiment of the emergency message control system employstransceivers that use standardized digital communication formats suchthat the information is communicated as packetized units of digitaldata. Other embodiments employ other suitable communication formats.Other suitable communication formats may be either digital or analogsignals.

The transceiver unit 106 converts received emergency messages into asuitable communication signal formatted for communication over ahardwire connection 108. In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 106formats the received broadcasted RF emergency messages into astandardized RF 232 signal. Another embodiment converts the receivedemergency messages into a standardized RS 485 signal. A transceiver unit106 may be configured to convert the received emergency messages fromthe transceivers 102 a-102 f and/or transceiver stations 112 a-112 c ofthe transceiver network 100 into any suitable signal for transmissionover a hardwire interconnection, such as, but not limited to, a metallicconductor, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable or the like. In someapplications, a unique identification code associated with thetransceiver unit 106 is added to the emergency message.

When transceivers (not shown) at many additional customer premises (notshown) are integrated into the transceiver network 100, one skilled inthe art will appreciate that a large network of transceivers will beable to communicate emergency messages to the emergency messagemanagement controller 302. For convenience of illustration, only alimited number of customer premises 103 a-103 f are illustrated inFIG. 1. Many other customer premises may be incorporated into thetransceiver network 100 such that all of the transceivers of thecustomer premises are communicating to the emergency message managementcontroller 302 via the transceiver network 100.

A portion of the transceiver network 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 isconfigured according to the strength of the broadcasted RF signals 114a-114 f from the plurality of transceivers 102 a-102 f, and the strengthof the broadcasted signals 118 a-118 c from the plurality of transceiverstations 112 a-112 c. Thus, many more customer premises can beconfigured to communicate with any number of a plurality of transceiverunits located out in a serviced area. For example, a transceiver unit120 is illustrated coupled to the site controller 104 via connection122. Transceiver unit 120 is configured to communicate with anothertransceiver network (not shown). Thus, transceiver unit 120 may serveone geographic region and transceiver unit 106 may service a differentgeographic region. Cut-away line 124 indicates separation of thegeographic regions. However, the geographic regions are, in reality,artificial in that any transceiver may communicate with any othertransceiver unit so long as its broadcast signal strength is sufficientto be detected by the transceiver unit. Thus, any boundary associatedwith a geographic reign is easily redefined or changed by simplyreconfiguring the defined communication path for a transceiver, asdescribed in greater detail below.

Site controller 104 is configured to communicate with any desired numberof transceiver units. Furthermore, a plurality of site controllers canbe deployed within a service area, thereby increasing the area ofcoverage of the transceiver network 100. There are no known limitationsthat would limit the number of transceivers in communication with theemergency message system control center 300 (FIG. 3) when a suitablenumber of transceiver units and site controllers are implemented with aplurality of transceivers to form a transceiver network 100.

Site controller 104, in another embodiment, is configured to includeother functionalities. Such functionalities may be implemented in a sitecontroller without departing substantially from the operation andfunctionality of the invention. For example, a site controller 104 maybe configured to transmit acknowledgement signals back to thetransceiver initiating the emergency message or another designatedtransceiver. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous inindicating to a person that emergency assistance is on the way or thatan emergency message has been received from a location of interest, suchas the person's home or business. In some applications, a uniqueidentification code associated with the site controller 104 is added tothe emergency message.

Furthermore, for convenience of illustration, the site controller 104and the transceiver unit 106 are illustrated as separate componentscoupled together via connection 108. In another embodiment, thetransceiver unit 106 and the site controller 104 are incorporated into asingle unit that performs substantially the same functionality of thetransceiver unit 106 and the site controller 104. Alternatively, thetransceiver unit 106 and site controller 104 may be convenientlyincluded in the same housing. Such an alternative embodiment isparticularly advantageous when it is desirable to centrally locatecomponents to provide easy access and/or when it is desirable to enclosethe devices in a single environmentally protective enclosure.

Each one of the transceivers, transceiver stations and transceiverunits, have a unique identification code, such as a unique alpha-numericidentification code, a hexa-decimal code, or a like identification code.For example, transceiver 102 b may have the unique identification code“102 b”. When an emergency message is relayed by the transceiver 102 bto the emergency message management controller 302 (FIG. 3), theemergency message is tagged or otherwise identified with the uniqueidentity code “102 b”. Thus, the emergency message management controller302 knows where the transceiver 102 b is located since locationinformation for the transceiver 102 b is retained in a database 314(FIG. 3), described in greater detail below. To determine the locationof the transceiver generating an emergency message, the emergencymessage management controller 302 need only associate the locationinformation in the database 314 with the unique identification code ofthe transceiver since the emergency message contains the identificationcode of the transceiver. Also, in one embodiment, the nature of theemergency can be determined if the type of detection device coupled tothe transceiver 102 b is described in the database 314.

Furthermore, the emergency message management controller 302 mayspecifically poll the transceiver 102 b to provide information bybroadcasting a signal, using the unique identification code “102 b”,such that the transceiver 102 b recognizes that it is instructed tobroadcast the status information back to the emergency messagemanagement controller 302. The emergency message management controller302, via site controller 104, instructs transceiver 106 to broadcast aninformation request signal to the transceiver 102 b. Thus, transceiverunit 106 broadcasts an information request signal to transceiver station112 c. Transceiver station 112 c broadcasts the information requestsignal to transceiver station 112 a, which then broadcasts theinformation request signal to the transceiver 102 b.

Similarly, the emergency message management controller 302 is incommunication with all of the individual transceivers of FIG. 1 suchthat an emergency message is associated with specific transceivers.Furthermore, the emergency message management controller 302 may requestinformation from any desired transceiver integrated into the transceivernetwork 100.

c. Integrating the Emergency Message Transceiver System into anEmergency Message System Control Center

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of oneembodiment of an emergency message system control center 300 incommunication with the transceiver network 100. Included as an integralcomponent of the emergency message communication system is the emergencymessage management controller 302. The emergency message managementcontroller 302 is coupled to at least one of the previously describedsite controllers 104 via connection 306. Connection 306 is coupled toconnection 110 (FIGS. 1 and 2) through an intermediary communicationsystem, described in greater detail below.

The emergency message management controller 302 includes at least aprocessor 308, a memory 310 and an interface 312. Memory 310 includes atleast a database 314 and the emergency message management controllerlogic 316. Processor 308 is coupled to the memory 310 via connection 318and is coupled to the interface 312 via connection 320.

When one the plurality of transceivers residing in the transceivernetwork 100 transmits an emergency message, the emergency messagemanagement controller 302 receives the emergency message and stores thereceived emergency message into database 314 or in another suitablelocation in a memory. Processor 308 executes the emergency messagemanagement controller logic 316 to appropriately store the receivedemergency message into the database 314 or in another suitable locationin a memory. In one embodiment, database 314 employs a look-up table.

The database 314 includes information of interest such as, but notlimited to, the identification code of each the transceivers, thelocation of the transceiver, and the nature of the emergency situation.The nature of the emergency situation in some applications is determinedby the type of device to which the transceiver is coupled to. Forexample, if the transceiver is coupled to a smoke detector, the database314 includes information indicating that a smoke detector is coupled tothe transceiver such that an emergency message received from thattransceiver indicates the possible presence of a fire based upon smokedetected by the smoke detector.

Other information of interest may also be included in the database 314.For example, but not limited to, information identifying the specificcustomer, customers address and/or attributes of the customer's securitysystem may be included within database 314. Also, individuals thatshould be contacted when an emergency message is received may also beincluded in the database 314. The nature of the monitoring device thatis monitored by the transceiver may also be included within the database314. Such information pertaining to the nature of the monitoring deviceincludes, but is not limited to, make, model, manufacturer, manufacturedate and/or components. Accordingly, any type of information of interestmay be included within the database 314. Furthermore, informationregarding attributes of the transceivers, the transceiver stations, thetransceiver units and the site controllers, such as, but not limited to,make, model, manufacturer, manufacture date, components, identificationcodes and/or locations, may be included in database 314.

The emergency message management controller 302 is illustrated as beingcoupled to the control console 322, via connection 324. Typically, thecontrol room operators 304 interface with the various componentsresiding in the emergency message system control center 300 via one ormore control consoles 322. Information is displayed on a suitableinterface device, such as a display screen 326. Thus, a control roomoperator 304, after determining a valid emergency message is received,requests appropriate emergency assistance from the appropriate emergencyprovider.

d. Communication Between Site Controllers and the Emergency MessageManagement Controller

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3, a site controller 104(FIGS. 1 and 2) is in communication with the interface 312 residing inthe emergency message management controller 302 (FIGS. 3 and 4). FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating alternative intermediate communicationsystems employed by the emergency message communication system. Threeexemplary site controllers 402, 404 and 406 are illustrated as beingcoupled to the interface 312 residing the emergency message managementcontroller 302 via three communication systems. These exemplaryintermediate communication systems are intended to illustrate somepossible communication systems through which the connections 110 (FIGS.1-2) and 306 (FIG. 3) may coupled to such that the emergency messagecommunication system enables communication between the site controllersand the emergency message management controller 302.

Site controller 402 is communicating to interface 312 via a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) 408, via connections 110 and 306.Thus, site controller 402 is configured to provide a suitable signalhaving an emergency message that is provided to the PSTN 408. PSTN 408receives the suitably configured emergency message from the sitecontroller 402 and relays the emergency message to the interface 312.Interface 312 converts the received emergency message from the PSTN 408and reformats the emergency message into a suitable communication signalthat is provided to processor 308 (FIG. 3) such that the emergencymessage is stored in the database 314 (FIG. 3) in a manner describedabove.

In one embodiment, when the emergency message management controller 302issues an acknowledgement signal, the interface 312 converts theacknowledgement signal into a suitable signal formatted forcommunication over the PSTN 408. The suitably formatted acknowledgementsignal is then communicated through the PSTN 408 and is transmitted tothe site controller 402 via connections 306 and 110. The site controller402 then converts the received acknowledgement signal from the PSTN 408into a suitably formatted signal for transmission out to the selectedtransceiver(s) as described above.

The components (not shown) residing in the interface 312 and the sitecontroller 402 that are configured to transmit, receive and convertsignals from the PSTN 408 are known in the art and, therefore, are notdescribed in detail herein other than to the extent necessary tounderstand the operation and functioning of these components whenemployed as part of the interface 312 and the site controller 402. Suchknown components are too numerous to describe in detail herein, and thatany configuration of such known components having the above-describedfunctionality may be implemented in the interface 312 and the sitecontroller 402 without departing substantially from the emergencymessage control system. Any such implementation of components configuredto receive and convert communication signals from PSTN 408 are intendedto be within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by theaccompanying claims.

Site controller 404 is communicating to interface 312 via a digitalcommunication system 410, via connections 110 and 306. Thus, sitecontroller 404 is configured to provide a suitable signal having anemergency message that is provided to the digital communication system410. The digital communication system 410 is a based communicationsystem configured to communication information in a digital format.Non-limiting examples of such digitally based communications systemsinclude digital subscriber loops (DSL), X.25, Internet protocol, (IP),Ethernet, Integrated services digital network (ISDN) and asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM). Such digital communication systems may employ aPSTN, a frame relay based network and/or cable network. Furthermore,such digital communication systems may employ combinations of theabove-described systems having a plurality of segments employingdifferent technologies on each segment.

The digital communication system 410 receives the suitably configuredemergency message from the site controller 404 and relays theinformation to the interface 312. Interface 312 converts the receivedemergency message from the digital communication system 410 andreformats the emergency message into a suitable communication signalthat is provided to processor 308 (FIG. 3) such that the emergencymessage is stored in the database 314 (FIG. 3) in a manner describedabove.

In one embodiment, when the emergency message management controller 302issues an acknowledgement signal, the interface 312 converts theacknowledgment signal into a suitable signal formatted for communicationover the digital communication system 410. The suitably formattedacknowledgement signal is then communicated to the digital communicationsystem 410 and is transmitted to site controller 404, via connections306 and 110. The site controller 404 then converts the receivedacknowledgement signal from the digital communication system 410 into asuitably formatted signal for transmission out to the selectedtransceiver(s) as described above.

The components (not shown) residing in the interface 312 and sitecontroller 404 that are configured to received and convert signals fromthe digital communication system 410 are known in the art and,therefore, are not described in detail herein other than to the extentnecessary to understand the operation and functioning of thesecomponents when employed as part of the interface 312 and the sitecontroller 404. Such known components are too numerous to describe indetail herein, and that any configuration of such known componentshaving the above-described functionality may be implemented in theinterface 312 and the site controller 404 without departingsubstantially from the emergency message communication system. Any suchimplementation of the components configured to receive and convertcommunication signals from the digital communication system are intendedto be within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by theaccompanying claims.

Site controller 406 is communicating to interface 312 via a Internetsystem 412, via connections 110 and 306. Thus, site controller 406 isconfigured to provide a suitable emergency message to the Internetsystem 412. Internet system 412 receives the suitably configuredemergency message from the site controller 406 and relays theinformation to the interface 312. Interface 312 converts the receivedemergency message from the Internet system 412 and reformats theemergency message into a suitable communication signal that is providedto processor 308 (FIG. 3) such that the emergency message is stored inthe database 314 (FIG. 3) in a manner described above.

When the emergency message management controller 302 issues anacknowledgement signal, the interface 312 converts the acknowledgementsignal into a suitable signal formatted for communication over theInternet system 412. The suitably formatted acknowledgement signal isthen communicated through the Internet system 412 and is transmitted tothe site controller 406, via connections 306 and 110. The sitecontroller 406 then converts the received acknowledgement signal fromthe Internet system 412 into a suitably formatted signal fortransmission out to the selected transceiver(s) as described above.

The components (not shown) residing in the interface 312 and the sitecontroller 406 that are configured to transmit, receive and convertsignals from the Internet system 412 are known in the art and,therefore, are not described in detail herein other than to the extentnecessary to understand the operation and functioning of thosecomponents when employed as part of the interface 312 and the sitecontroller 406. Such known components are too numerous to describe indetail herein, and that any configuration of such known componentshaving the above-described functionality may be implemented in theinterface 312 and the site controller 406 without departingsubstantially from the emergency message communication system. Any suchimplementation of components configured to receive and convertcommunication signals from the Internet system 412 are intended to bewithin the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by theaccompanying claims.

Other embodiments of the site controllers and the interface 312 areconfigured to communicate with other communication networks orcombination networks having a plurality of segments employing differentcommunication technologies on each segment. For example, a sitecontroller and a interface could be configured to communicate oversatellite based communication systems. Another example includes acombination system that employs the PSTN 408 and the Internet system412. Such a combination system includes an interface device to interfacethe PSTN 408 with the Internet system 412. There are no intendedlimitations with respect to the interfacing communication technologythrough which a site controller and an interface 312 (FIG. 3)communicate. Any such implementation of a site controller and aninterface 312 configured to communicate through a communicationtechnology in accordance with the operation and functionality of theemergency message system described herein is intended to be within thescope of this disclosure and to be protected by the accompanying claims.

One embodiment of the site controller and/or interface 312 employs aplurality of standardized components, and is configured to receive aninterface card. The interface card is configured to provide connectivityto the communication system that is used by the emergency messagecommunication system to communicate over. Such an embodiment isparticularly suited to implementing a mass produced emergency messagesystem.

One embodiment of the site controller includes additional components(not shown) that apply an encryption to emergency messages transmittedto the emergency message management controller 302 (FIG. 3). Similarly,the interface 312 (FIG. 3) may be configured to transmit encryptedemergency messages. The received emergency messages are decrypted by thereceiving device. Such an embodiment is desirable when security of theemergency message is important, such as, but not limited to, emergencymessages generated by transceiver employed in an integrated securitysystem 208 (FIG. 2).

e. Embodiment of an Emergency Message Transceiver in an IntegratedSecurity System

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an emergencymessage transceiver system with transceivers 202 a-202 f. Each one ofthe transceivers 202 a-202 f are coupled to an exemplary detectiondevice 204 a-204 f residing in one of the exemplary customer premises ofFIG. 1. In one embodiment, the customer premises 200 includes awall-mounted base station 206 to form an integrated security system 208,as described below. Such an integrated security system is suitable forinstallation in a residence, business or other type of customerpremises.

The exemplary detectors 204 a-204 f illustrate selected types of avariety of detection devices that may be employed as part of anintegrated security system 208. For example, detector 204 a isconfigured to detect the presence of smoke. Thus, smoke detector 204 aindicates a possible fire at the customer premises 200 when smoke isdetected.

Detector 204 b is configured to sense movement of intruders within thecustomer premises 200. Detector 204 c is configured to detect theopening of window 210. Similarly, detector 204 d is configured to detectthe opening of door 212. Detector 204 e is a pressure sensitivedetecting device that detects the pressure of an intruder walking overthe carpet 214. Detector 204 f is configured to detect sound waves 216,such as sound associated with glass breakage or forced entry through thedoor 212. Thus, detectors 204 b-202 f are configured to detect anintrusion into the customer premises 200 so that an emergency messagemay be generated.

In one embodiment, each of the detectors 204 a-204 f are coupled to atransceiver 202 a-202 f, respectively, such that the emergency messageis broadcasted out to the transceiver station 212 via signal 210. Sinceeach transceiver has a predefined unique identification code, theidentification code is used by the energy message management controller302 to identify the detectors 204 a-204 f.

For convenience of illustration, the transceivers 202 a-204 f areillustrated as residing outside each of its respective detectors andcoupled to its respective detector by a connection. Such an embodimentis particularly advantageous for retrofitting detectors of an existinghome security systems into the integrated security system 208.

Alternatively, the transceivers 202 a-202 f are fabricated into each oneof its respective detectors during the manufacturing process as aninternal integrated component. Such an embodiment is particularlyadvantageous in providing for an integrated security system 208 that iseasily installed with a minimum of labor and expense. That is, sinceeach detection device includes an internal transceiver configured totransmit emergency messages, the installation of the detectors in thecustomer premises 200 may be effected without the installation of signalwires to a central control panel in a home security system.

Furthermore, the integrated security system 208 does not necessarilyrequire a control panel in that each of the transceivers 202 a-202 e areconfigured to communicate directly with any transceiver station withinits broadcast range, such as transceiver station 212. Furthermore, ifthe transceiver unit 106 is in a sufficiently close proximity to thetransceivers 202 a-202 e, emergency message signals broadcasted by thetransceivers 202 a-202 e may be directly detected by the transceiverunit 106 via signal 218.

The integrated security system 208 may include other components. Suchcomponents may be coupled to a transceiver, or may include a transceiveras an internal integrated component, as described above. In oneembodiment, control panel 206 may be configured to coordinate with theother detectors 202 a-202 e. For example, a person authorized to enterthe customer premises 200 may enter the customer premises and activatethe motion detector 204 b, the door opening detector 204 d, the pressuredetector 204 e and/or the noise detector 204 f. The correspondingtransceivers 202 b, 202 d, 202 e and/or 202 f generate an emergencybroadcast signal that is detected by the control panel transceiver 220.Since the broadcasting transceiver(s) 202 b, 202 d, 202 e and/or 202 fare uniquely identified by their predefined identification code, theemergency message management controller 302 (FIG. 3) determines which ofthe detectors 204 b, 204 d, 204 e and/or 204 f have detected anintruder.

The control panel 206 is then configured to allow a predefined period oftime for the person entering the customer premises 200 to enter asecurity number or the like, via a keypad 222, such that the integratedsecurity system 208 recognizes that the person is authorized to enterthe customer premises 200. Accordingly, the control panel 206 employsthe transceiver 206 to broadcast an emergency message indicating that aproper security code has been received and that the person entering thecustomer premises 200 is an authorized person. Thus, when the emergencysignal from one or more of the transceivers 202 b, 202 d, 202 e and/or202 f is followed by an emergency message from the transceiver 200indicating that an appropriate security code has been timely received,the emergency message management controller 302 (FIG. 3) receiving theemergency messages understands that the person entering the customerpremises 200 is an authorized person and not an intruder. However, ifthe control panel 206 does not generate an emergency message indicatingthat an appropriate security code has been received, the emergencymessage management controller 302 understands that an intruder in thecustomer premises 200 has been detected and then generates anappropriately configured emergency message that is transmitted to thecontrol room operators 304, via the control console 322 (FIG. 3). Thecontrol room operators would then request suitable emergency assistanceat the customer premises 200.

Similarly, smoke detector 204 a may detect the presence of smoke suchthat the transceiver 202 a transmits a corresponding emergency signal.If a person in the customer premises 200 is merely cooking dinner andburns some of the food, thereby generating the detected smoke, an actualfire condition may not be present. Thus, the person may enter apredefined security code through the control panel 206 such that anemergency message signal is transmitted by the transceiver 220, therebyindicating to the energy message management controller 302 that a fireis not present at the customer premises 200.

In one embodiment, the emergency message management controller 302 mayindicate to the control room operators 304 that the smoke detector 204 ahas detected smoke, but that the received security code indicates thatan actual fire is not present and that emergency service from the firedepartment need not be summoned. Alternatively, another embodiment maynot notify the control room operators 304 that the smoke detector 204 ahas detected smoke if the security code is received in a timely manner.However, with either embodiment, if the security code is not received bythe control panel 206, an emergency message is transmitted to thecontrol room operators 304 indicating the detection of smoke by thesmoke detector 204 a.

Because each transceiver 202 a-202 f is identified by a uniqueidentification code, location information for each transceiver residingin the database 314 (FIG. 3) is used to precisely identify the locationof the broadcasting transceiver, and therefore precisely identify thelocation of the emergency. Since the received emergency message includesthe unique identification code of the transceiver generating theemergency message, the location is determined by associating theidentification code of the transceiver with information residing indatabase 314 (FIG. 3). Furthermore, additional information residing inthe database 314 may indicate the nature of the emergency and/or provideother relevant information. For example, a message received fromtransceiver 202 a, coupled to the smoke detector 204 a (FIG. 2), mayindicate that the smoke detector 204 a has detected smoke. Accordingly,the control room operators 304 can summon emergency assistance from thefire department and direct the fire department personnel to the addressof the customer premises 200 when an emergency message is received fromthe transceiver 202 a.

Similarly, if an intruder opens the window 210 such that the detector204 c detects the window opening, the transceiver 202 c transmits anemergency message to the energy message management controller 302.Because the transceiver 202 c is uniquely identified and the location ofthe transceiver 202 c is specified in the database 314, the control roomoperators 304 upon receiving the emergency message and the addresslocation of the customer premises 200 could summon the police toinvestigate the presence of the opened window 210.

As described above, emergency messages generated by any one of thedetectors 204 a-204 f causes the emergency signal to be relayed throughthe transceiver network 100 (FIG. 1) such that the emergency message isreceived and processed by the emergency message management controller302. In an alternative embodiment, the control panel 206, or othersuitable coordination device, is configured to detect and recognizeemergency messages broadcasted by the transceivers 202 a-202 f. Othertransceivers within the broadcasting range of the transceivers 202 a-202f are configured to ignore emergency messages broadcasted by thetransceivers 202 a-202 f. Since the broadcasting transceiver(s) 202 b,202 d, 202 e and/or 202 f are uniquely identified by their predefinedidentification code, the control panel 206 determines which of thedetectors 204 b, 204 d, 204 e and/or 204 f have detected an intruder.

Accordingly, if the appropriate security code is not received in atimely manner by the control panel 206, a single emergency message isbroadcasted by the transceiver 220 to the emergency message managementcontroller 302 (FIG. 3) in the manner described above. If a securitycode is received in a timely manner, no emergency message is broadcastedby the transceiver 220. That is, the control panel 206, or othersuitable coordinating device, coordinates emergency messages of theintegrated security system. Such an embodiment is particularly desirablewhen it is desirable to reduce the number of emergency messagestransmitted to the emergency message management controller 302.

For example, in the above-described embodiment employing the controlpanel 206 as a coordinator of emergency messages for the integratedsecurity system 208, the presence of an intruder may be detected by themotion detector 204 b. An emergency message broadcasted by thetransceiver 202 b is detected by the transceiver 220 and relayed to thecontrol panel 206. Should the transceiver station 212 be within thebroadcast range of the transceiver 202 b, a transceiver (not shown)residing in the transceiver station 212 is configured to ignore anyemergency messages from the transceiver 202 b. Accordingly, if theauthorized security code is not received in a timely manner by thecontrol panel 206, a single emergency message is broadcasted by thetransceiver 220. The transceiver residing in the transceiver station 212is configured to detect the emergency message from the transceiver 220,thereby relaying the emergency message to the emergency messagemanagement controller 302, as described above.

The integrated security system 208 may further include a personalsecurity device 214. The personal security device 200 is coupled to orincluded as an internal component a transceiver 216. The transceiver216, in one embodiment, is configured to communicate with the controlpanel 206. Thus, if an authorized person desires to enter the customerpremises 200, the person enters the appropriate security code through akeypad 218 on the personal device 214. The transceiver 216 relays thesecurity code signal to the transceiver 206 such that the control panel200 recognizes that a valid security code has been received.Accordingly, the control panel 206 generates an emergency signal,broadcasted by the transceiver 220, indicating that the security codehas been received in a timely manner. Alternatively, in an embodimentemploying a control panel 206 is a coordinator of emergency messages,the transceiver 220 does not broadcast an emergency message uponreceiving the security code in a timely manner.

In another embodiment, the personal device 214 generates an emergencysignal having the security code such that the transceiver 216 directlytransmits the security code to the energy message management controller302. Thus, the personal device 214 is forming the same functionality asthe control panel 206. Here, the integrated security system 208 wouldnot necessarily employ the control panel 206, but employs one or more ofthe personal devices 214 to broadcast an emergency message indicatingthat the security code has been received in a timely manner.

Furthermore, the personal device 214 provides a convenient way for aperson to remotely arm the integrated security system 208. That is, aperson arms the integrated security system 208 from outside of thehouse. Such a feature is convenient if the person desires to arm theintegrated security system 208 when leaving the customer premises 200.Similarly, the person may arm the integrated security system 208 wheninside the customer premises 200. For example, if the integratedsecurity system 208 is installed in a residence, the person may arm theintegrated security system 208 from the bedside or other convenientlocation.

The exemplary detectors 204 a-204 f described above are intended tomerely illustrate a few of the wide variety of detectors and otherdevices that are integrated into the integrated security system 208.Other types of suitable detectors include, but are not limited to,detectors for water, moisture, temperature or humidity. Such detectorsare configured to generate an emergency message that is broadcasted by atransceiver coupled to or residing in the detector.

Furthermore, a variety of appliances, such as but not limited to, a TVor a toaster, are easily be integrated into the integrated securitysystem 208. For example, it may be desirable to monitor the operatingstatus of a toaster for safety reasons. Thus, if a toaster is left onafter use, the transceiver generates an emergency message indicatingthat the toaster has inadvertently been left on such that a potentialfire hazard is created. Accordingly, the control room operators couldinitiate an appropriate response to ensure that the toaster is turnedoff before a fire occurs. For example, the control room operators 304could summon the fire department or contact the owner of the customerpremises 200.

As described above, the exemplary detector 204 a-204 f are described asdetector devices installed in a fixed location within the customerpremises. Such devices may be installed in other convenient locations,such as, but not limited to, outside the customer premises.

Furthermore, the detectors may be portable or moveable. For example, butnot limited to, the motion detector 204 b (and its associatedtransceiver 202 b) may be relocated to another location within thecustomer premises 200 to change the area of coverage provided by themotion detector 204 b.

Also, the detectors may be installed on moveable property, such as anautomobile, truck, boat, airplane, art object or the like. In anotherembodiment, a transceiver is coupled to or integrated within a monitorthat is attached to a person. Such an embodiment may be particularlyadvantageous when the detector is monitoring a health condition, such asa person's heartbeat rate or the like, or when the detector isdetermining location, such as the location of a child, pet, art objector the like.

In yet another embodiment, emergency messages are relayed directly tothe personal security device 214 such that the person possessing thepersonal security device 214 is made aware of the emergency messagesfrom the integrated security system 208. The emergency managementcontroller 302 (FIG. 3) communicates the emergency message out into thenetwork 100 (FIG. 1). Since the personal security device is identifiedby a unique identification code, the message is directed to the personalsecurity device 214 by including the identification code of the personalsecurity device 214 in the emergency message. One embodiment employs abeeper or other noise generator, a light indicator, a vibrator or thelike to get the attention of the person.

For example, if the person is at work, and an intruder enters thecustomer premises 200 such that the motion detector 204 b causes thetransceiver 202 b to broadcast an emergency message, the person isdirectly notified of the emergency message. The emergency messagebroadcasted by the transceiver 202 b (assuming the failure to receive anappropriate security code entry) is broadcasted out to the transceiverstation 212. The transceiver station 212 relays the emergency message,via transceiver unit 106 and the site controller 104, to the emergencymessage management controller 302 (FIG. 3). The emergency messagemanagement controller 302 then causes an emergency message to betransmitted to the personal security device 214 so that the owner of thecustomer premises 200, or another appropriate individual, is aware thatthe motion detector 204 b has detected the presence of an intruder.

f. Embodiment of an Always-on Appliance Transceiver

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an emergencymessage transceiver 502 coupled to an always-on appliance unit 504residing in the customer premises. The exemplary always-on applianceunit 504 is illustrated as a cable television (TV) set box. Othersuitable always-on appliances may be configured to communicate with anemergency message transceiver 502. For example, a home personal computer(PC), a security alarm system control panel, a digital telephone/messagesystem, or a fax machine are other examples of suitable always-onappliances configured to operate with a transceiver of the presentinvention. Such always-on appliances typically include a display devicesuch that an emergency message could be indicated to a person viewingthe display device. Furthermore, the always-on appliance may be a mobileappliance such as a pager, cell phone or the like.

The phrase “always-on appliance” as used herein designates an appliancethat is probably on for periods of time such that a person viewing theappliance for its normal intended use is likely to be notified of areceived emergency message. For example, a TV may not always be on, butrather on for periods of time. Similarly, a pager may be occasionallyturned off, such as when the user is in a theater or sleeping at night.Such devices are considered as always-on appliances herein.

According to the exemplary system illustrated in FIG. 5, the cable TVset box 508 is coupled to an external TV cable system (not shown) via acable 506 that is coupled to a cable TV wall outlet 508. TV signals fromthe cable TV network are provided to the TV 510 via cable 512. Forconvenience, the cable TV set box 504 and the TV 510 are illustrated assitting on the table 514. The emergency message transceiver 502 iscoupled to the cable TV set box 504 via connection 516. Alternatively,the emergency message transceiver 502 is incorporated internally withinthe cable TV set box 504 as an integral integrated component.

When an emergency message is received by the emergency messagemanagement controller 302 (FIG. 3), it may be desirable to communicatethe emergency message to an individual in close proximity to thealways-on appliance.

For example, a tornado detector may detect the possible presence of atornado. An emergency message transceiver (not shown) coupled to thetornado detector (not shown) generates an emergency message to theemergency message management controller 302. The transceiver coupled tothe tornado detector has a predefined unique identification code.Because the location of the transceiver coupled to the tornado detectoris precisely known, since the identification code of the transceiver isassociated with data in the database 314 (FIG. 3), the emergency messagemanagement controller 302 generates an emergency message that isbroadcasted out to the emergency message transceiver 502. The emergencymessage is directed to the emergency message transceiver 502 byspecifying the unique identification code of the emergency transceiver502 in the broadcasted emergency message. Furthermore, the emergencymessage may be directed to many different locations by specifyingidentification codes in the emergency message.

Similarly, the transceiver 502 can be configured to receive an emergencymessage generated by one of the above-described transceivers 202 a-202 femployed in an integrated security system 208 (FIG. 2). Also, thetransceiver 502 can be configured to receive an emergency messagegenerated by one of the above-described transceivers 216, or a personalemergency message transceiver 602 described below, or a transceiverconfigured to detect emergency 911 calls as described below.Accordingly, a person viewing the always-on device is made aware thatone of the transceivers 202 a-202 f coupled to detection devices 204a-204 f, or the wall-mounted base station 206, have generated anemergency message. As described above, the emergency messagecommunicated to the always-on appliance includes other information ofinterest, such as, but not limited to, the nature of the emergencysituation.

In one embodiment, the emergency message transceiver 502 is configuredto generate an emergency message signal that is configured to bedisplayed on the always-on appliance. Such an embodiment includes asignal generator (not shown) that process the received emergency messageinto a signal suitably formatted for the always-on appliance. In theexemplary system illustrated in FIG. 5, an emergency message isdisplayed on a display 518 residing on the cable TV set box 504.Furthermore, another embodiment is configured to generate an appropriateemergency message on the TV 510 such that a person viewing the TV 510would understand that a tornado, and its corresponding location, hasbeen detected.

Some embodiments of the always-on appliance are configured to receivecommunications from a person that has received the emergency message.For example, the always-on appliance may be a PC. Accordingly, when theuser of the PC receives the emergency message, the user may respond witha request for additional information and/or may request emergencyassistance. For example, if the received emergency message indicatesthat a tornado has been detected in close proximity to the emergencymessage transceiver 502, the user of the PC may request emergency helpto effect an evacuation of the premises. Such an embodiment may beparticularly useful if physically impaired people and/or small childrenrequiring assistance in evacuations are nearby the always-on appliance.

In yet another embodiment, the request for additional information or foremergency assistance is made using the control panel 206 and/or thepersonal security device 214 (FIG. 2). Here, the person receiving theemergency message from the always-on appliance uses the keyboardscoupled to the control panel 206 and/or the personal security device 214to generate an emergency message requesting additional informationand/or emergency assistance to the transceiver 502. The transceiver 502then relays the request for additional information or emergencyassistance back to the energy message management controller 302 (FIG.3). Accordingly, the control room operators 304 provides the additionalinformation and/or request emergency assistance from the appropriatepublic emergency service agencies.

g. Embodiment of a Personal Emergency Transceiver

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a personalemergency message transceiver 602. The personal emergency transceiver602 includes a transceiver 604 in accordance with the present invention.The transceiver 604 includes or is coupled to a memory (not shown)having a predefined unique identification code.

For convenience of illustration, the transceiver 604 is illustrated asan internal component of the personal emergency message transceiver 602,as indicated by the two cut-away lines 606. One embodiment of thepersonal emergency message transceiver 602 includes at least one button608. Button 608 may be any suitable pressure sensitive device or switchdevice that is manually actuated by a person. Another embodimentincludes a keypad 610 having a plurality of push buttons or the like.Another embodiment includes a speaker 612, a light 614, a display 618,and/or a microphone (not shown). Other embodiments may employ variouscombinations of the button 608, the keypad 610 and the speaker 612.

The personal emergency message transceiver 602 is preferably a verysmall, easy to carry device. The personal emergency message transceiver602 is sufficiently small to conveniently carry in a person's pocket,clip onto the person's belt or the like, fit into a purse and/or attachto a key chain or other convenient apparatus.

Each of the above-described embodiments of the personal emergencymessage transceiver 602 are configured to generate and/or receivesignals to and/or from the transceiver 604, via connection 620. Forexample, the button 608 is configured to generate a signal such thatwhen the person using the personal emergency message transceiver 602actuates button 608, an emergency message (which includes the uniqueidentification code of the emergency message transceiver 602) isbroadcasted by the transceiver 604. The emergency message broadcasted bythe transceiver 604 is detected by any other transceiver of thetransceiver network 100 (FIG. 1) such that the detected emergencymessage is relayed to the emergency message management controller 302(FIG. 3) by the network transceivers in the manner described above. Asthe first network transceiver relays the emergency message, the networktransceiver adds its unique identification code to the emergencymessage. When the emergency message reaches the emergency managementcontroller 302, the emergency message includes the unique identificationcode of the broadcasting personal emergency message transceiver 602 andthe first network transceiver. (Other embodiments may include theidentification code of all network transceivers relaying the emergencymessage to the emergency message management controller 302.)

Although the exact location of the personal emergency messagetransceiver 602 is not precisely known because the emergency messagetransceiver 602 itself is portable, the precise location of the firstnetwork transceiver relaying the broadcasted emergency message isprecisely known [since location information for the first relayingnetwork transceiver resides in the database 314 (FIG. 3)]. Accordingly,the emergency message management controller 302, based upon the knownlocation of the receiving transceivers, may closely approximate thelocation of the personal emergency message transceiver 602. Furthermore,if multiple transceivers in the transceiver network 100 detect thebroadcasted emergency message from the transceiver 604, the emergencymessage management controller logic 316 executes a positiondetermination algorithm to triangulate more precisely the location ofthe personal emergency message transceiver 602.

In the embodiment of the personal emergency message transceiver 602employing a keypad 610, the person using the personal emergency messagetransceiver 602 uses the keypad 610 to generate alpha-numeric messages.For example, an alpha-numeric message may indicate a need for aparticular type of emergency assistance, such as an ambulance, thepolice, the fire department or a tow truck. One embodiment of thepersonal emergency message transceiver 602 employs a number of pushbuttons or the like, each configured for a particular type of emergencysituation. For example, one button may selectively indicate a need foran ambulance, and another button may indicate the need for a tow truck.Another embodiment of the personal emergency message transceiver 602 isconfigured with a plurality of buttons, or the like, each button beingassociated with one or more alphanumeric characters. Accordingly, theuser of such an embodiment having a keypad with a plurality of buttonsassociated with alpha-numeric characters may generate a customizedemergency message that is broadcasted by the transceiver 604. Forexample, the person using the personal emergency message transceiver 602could generate a message such as “call wife, working late at home” oranother suitable message.

An embodiment of the personal emergency message transceiver 602employing a speaker 612 provides for audible communications with theperson using the personal emergency message transceiver 602. Forexample, the personal emergency message transceiver 602 generates asound to indicate to the user that an emergency message of interest hasbeen received. Accordingly, the audible sound may prompt the user tocall into the emergency message management controller 302 if an intruderhas been detected, in a manner described above, at the customer premises200 by the integrated security system 208 (FIG. 2). Another embodimentprovides an audible signal indicating more precisely the nature of theemergency message of interest. For example, the speaker 612 audiblybroadcasts out a message such as “intruder detected at residence” oranother suitable audible message. Furthermore, another embodiment isconfigured to include a microphone (not shown) that is configured toreceive audible messages from the user and to broadcast the audiblemessage by the transceiver 604.

Another embodiment employs a light source 614 to notify the user of thepersonal emergency message transceiver 602 that an emergency message ofinterest has been received by the emergency message managementcontroller 302 (FIG. 3). For example, the light source 614 could be alight emitting diode (LED), an incandescent light or other lightgenerating device. Other embodiments of the personal emergency messagetransceiver 602 employ other devices to notify the user that anemergency message of interest has been received. For example, oneembodiment employs a vibratory device (not shown) that provides anindication to the user through a vibratory movement of the personalemergency message transceiver 602.

Another embodiment of the personal emergency transceiver 602 employs adisplay 618. Display 618 is configured to receive emergency messagesfrom the emergency message management controller 302 (FIG. 3) andindicate information associated with the received emergency message. Forexample, display 618 may use alpha-numeric symbols to indicate thenature and the location of the emergency message. Accordingly, thedisplay 618 may show an emergency message such as “intruder at home” oranother suitable message. Furthermore, another embodiment of thepersonal emergency message transceiver 602 employs the display 618 forindicating general events of interest, such as stock market activity,national emergencies, holidays or the like. The display 618 may be anysuitable device for displaying an emergency message. For example, butnot limited to, the display 618 may be a flat panel screen, a LEDscreen, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or any other known screen device.

Another embodiment of the personal emergency message transceiver 602employing a keypad 610 may be further configured to perform the samefunctionality of the personal device 214 (FIG. 2) having the keypad 218.Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous when integrating thepersonal emergency message transceiver 602 into a transceiver network100 (FIG. 1) that is configured for a multiplicity of purposes.

h. Embodiment of an Emergency Transceiver Detecting 911 Calls

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of another personal emergency messagetransceiver 124. The personal emergency message transceiver 124 isconfigured to have similar functionality as a mobile communicationdevice, such as a mobile telephone, radio, pager, cell phone or thelike. Thus, the personal emergency message transceiver 124 is capable ofproviding voice communication services and is configured to generateemergency messages broadcasted by a transceiver (not shown). Anotherembodiment is configured to employ a separate transceiver for voicecommunications and a separate transceiver for communication of emergencymessages. In yet another embodiment, a mobile communication device maybe retrofitted with a transceiver, thereby creating a personal emergencymessage transceiver 124. Illustrative examples of mobile communicationdevices include mobile telephones, cellular devices, radios, pagers orthe like.

Special purpose keys residing on the personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 are configured to have similar functionality as thebutton 608 and/or the keypad 610 of the personal emergency messagetransceiver 602 (FIG. 6) described above.

When a transceiver (not shown) residing in the personal emergencymessage transceiver 124 broadcasts an emergency message signal 126, theemergency message signal 126 is received by any of the transceivers ofthe transceiver network 100, such as transceiver 102 f. Accordingly, theemergency message signal 126 is broadcasted by the transceiver 102 f(via signal 1140 to the transceiver station 112 b, and then to thetransceiver station 112 c (via signal 118 b), and then to thetransceiver unit 106 (via signal 118 c), and then to the emergencymessage management controller 302 (FIG. 3). Alternatively, when thepersonal emergency message transceiver 124 is sufficiently close to thetransceiver unit 106 such that the transceiver unit 106 is able todetect the emergency message broadcasted by the personal emergencymessage transceiver 124, then the transceiver unit 106 directly relaysthe emergency message to the emergency message management controller 302(FIG. 3).

In an exemplary embodiment the personal emergency message transceiver124 can receive emergency messages from the emergency message systemcontrol center 300. The emergency messages received at the personalemergency message transceiver 124 can relate to a variety of events,warnings, notifications, security alerts, stimulus, weather, naturaldisasters, or other information. For example, and not limitation, asdiscussed above, the emergency message system control center 300 cangenerate an emergency message regarding a tornado. Additionally, in anexemplary embodiment the emergency message system control center 300 candirect emergency messages to the personal emergency message transceiver124 based on the location of the personal emergency message transceiver124. As described above with the respect to an emergency messageregarding a tornado, the emergency message system control center 300 cansend a message to all devices known to be in the vicinity of the tornadoalert region.

As shown in FIG. 1, the personal emergency message transceiver 124 canbe a mobile communication device, such as a mobile telephone or cellulardevice. In an exemplary embodiment, the mobile telephone includes atransceiver, and hardware and software configured to communicate withthe emergency message system control center 300. In an exemplaryembodiment the personal emergency message transceiver 124 cancommunicate directly with the emergency message system control center300 via the cellular network to which the personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 subscribes. In an alternative embodiment the personalemergency message transceiver 124 can be configured to communicate witha secondary communication device in order to ultimately reach theemergency message system control center 300. For example, and notlimitation, as shown in FIG. 1, the personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 can communicate with a transceiver 102 f of thetransceiver network 100. Additionally, the personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 can communicate with a transceiver unit 120 in furthercommunication with a site controller 104. The ability of the personalemergency message transceiver 124 to communicate with the transceiversin the transceiver network 100 extends the coverage area for thepersonal emergency message transceiver 124 by enabling it to rely uponexisting transceiver networks 100 to communicate with the emergencymessage system control center 300. Furthermore, the site controller 104in an exemplary embodiment can serve as a gateway device to connect thepersonal emergency message transceiver 124 with the Internet, a WideArea Network, and/or a Local Area Network. For example, a transceiverunit 120 is illustrated in FIG. 1 coupled to the site controller 104 viaconnection 122. Transceiver unit 120 is configured to communicate withanother transceiver network. Thus, transceiver unit 120 may serve onegeographic region and transceiver unit 106 may service a differentgeographic region. The geographic regions are, in reality, artificial inthat any transceiver may communicate with any other transceiver unit solong as its broadcast signal strength is sufficient to be detected bythe transceiver unit. Thus, any boundary associated with a geographicreign is easily redefined or changed by simply reconfiguring the definedcommunication path for a transceiver, as described in greater detailbelow. Site controller 104 is configured in an exemplary embodiment tocommunicate with any desired number of transceiver units. Furthermore, aplurality of site controllers can be deployed within a service area,thereby increasing the area of coverage of the transceiver network 100.There are no known limitations that would limit the number oftransceivers in communication with the emergency message system controlcenter 300 when a suitable number of transceiver units and sitecontrollers are implemented with a plurality of transceivers to form atransceiver network 100.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that in addition to the mobiletelephone device depicted in FIG. 1, the personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 can be a variety of different types of communicationdevices, including a smartphone, such as a Blackberry®, iPhone®, andAndroid® device, a tablet computer, such as an iPad®, PlayBook^(m4), anda Android® tablet, or a portable computer, such as a laptop, netbook, orother portable electronic device capable of communicating with thepersonal emergency message transceiver 124. In an exemplary embodiment,the personal emergency message transceiver 124 is implemented in asmartphone, and the transceiver for the personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 is the transceiver included in the smartphone for voiceand data communication with the networks to which the smartphone cancommunicate, including both cellular networks via cellular base stationsand the internet via LAN or WAN data connections.

In the exemplary embodiment of a smartphone based personal emergencymessage transceiver 124, the smartphone is enabled to download or beconfigured with an emergency message application, to enablecommunication with the emergency message system control center 300. Theuser of the personal emergency message transceiver 124 can configure theemergency message application to send and receive a variety of emergencymessages based on the preferences of the user. For example, and notlimitation, in an exemplary embodiment the emergency message applicationcan be configured to receive messages regarding potentially hazardousweather or natural disaster related emergencies.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smartphone based personal emergencymessage transceiver 124 includes a Global Positioning System (“GPS”)device enabled to provide information regarding the current location ofthe smartphone. In this exemplary embodiment, the location informationprovided by the GPS device can be used by the emergency messageapplication and the emergency message system control center 300 toidentify and track the location of the personal emergency messagetransceiver 124. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that thesmartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124 canalternatively provide other devices and processes for location tracking,including relying upon coupon redemptions by the smartphone basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124, purchases with thesmartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124, or use oflocation based social media applications. For example, and notlimitation, a user of smartphone based personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 could use the smartphone to redeem a coupon at aparticular coffee shop or use a location based social media application,such as Foursquare™, to identify the current location of the user at thecoffee shop and that location could be communicated in real time to theemergency message system control center 300. Subsequently, in anexemplary embodiment, the emergency message system control center 300can direct emergency messages to be provided to the smartphone basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 in accordance with thecurrent location of the user. For example, and not limitation, thecoffee shop that the user posted on Foursquare^(m4) could be in an areawith a tornado alert and the emergency message system control center 300could send an emergency message regarding the tornado alert to thesmartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124.Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment the emergency message systemcontrol center 300 and/or the emergency message application can beconfigured to provide certain promotion messages along with or inrelation to an emergency message. For example, and not limitation, theemergency message system control center 300 in an exemplary embodimentcan provide an emergency message to an emergency message application ona smartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124 regardinga winter weather advisory in the vicinity of the transceiver 124.Subsequently, in conjunction with that winter weather advisory emergencymessage, the emergency message system control center 300 could transmita coupon message to the emergency message application regarding a couponfor firewood at a local hardware store in view of the impeding snowstorm. In another embodiment, a emergency message could be received bythe emergency message application of a smartphone based personalemergency message transceiver 124 that indicates a flash flood warninghas been issued and also providing a coupon for the purchase ofmaterials for sand bags at a local store.

In an exemplary embodiment, the user can configure the emergency messageapplication on the smartphone based personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 to receive emergency messages regarding hazardousweather and natural disasters in the vicinity of the user. For example,and not limitation, the emergency message system control center 300obtains information a possible tsunami offshore from the island ofJapan. In this non-limiting example, the emergency message systemcontrol center 300 maintains a list of all smartphone based personalemergency message transceivers 124 with an active emergency messageapplication that have provided location information from the GPS deviceon the smartphone that the smartphone is located in Japan. Furthermore,the emergency message system control center 300 is enabled to send anemergency message to all smartphone based personal emergency messagetransceivers 124 that have configured their emergency messageapplication to receive emergency messages for this geographic region. Inthis non-limiting example, the user would receive an emergency messagevia the emergency message application on the smartphone based personalemergency message transceiver 124 indicating that a tsunami had beendetected in Japan near the vicinity of the user. As can be readilyunderstood, the ability of a user to receive accurate real timeemergency messages based on their current location is extremelybeneficial. In the example of a tsunami warning, the user could receiverapid and real time information regarding the tsunami, giving the userthe ability to seek refuge in a place or location outside of the dangerzone of the tsunami. For many hazardous weather events and naturaldisasters, immediate and prompt notification to those in danger isabsolutely critical in preventing harm and even loss of life. Theemergency message system control center 300 can enable emergencymessages to be instantly distributed to a large number of personalemergency message transceiver 124. In an exemplary embodiment, theemergency message system control center 300 is enabled to communicatedor receive information from a separate weather or information network.For example, and not limitation, the emergency message system controlcenter 300 can receive information from the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration network and database, such as readings froman NOAA ocean based buoys or other remote pressure recorder that atsunami has been detected.

The ability of the emergency message application to providenotifications of emergencies based on the location of the user providesa number of important advantages to the user. Significantly, the usercan receive emergency messages from the emergency message system controlcenter 300 based on the location of the user. For example, and notlimitation, a user traveling to Japan may not be familiar with tsunamisor even the ability for Japan to experience tsunamis. Regardless, inthis non-limiting example, the user could fly to Tokyo, and the personalemergency message transceiver 124 can send an update to the emergencymessage system control center 300 that the transceiver 124 is currentlylocated in Tokyo, Japan. Subsequently, the smartphone based personalemergency message transceivers 124 could receive an emergency messagefrom the emergency message system control center 300 alerting the userto a tsunami in the vicinity of the user. Therefore, the user can bemade aware by the emergency message application of hazardous weather ornatural disasters when traveling from city to city.

The location based feature of the emergency message application providedin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention canprovide another significant advantage in that it can limit the amount ofemergency messages received by the user. Those of skill in the art willappreciate that the greater the quantity of the emergency messagesdelivered to the user via an emergency message application, the lessattention that will be paid by a user to any particular emergencymessage. Therefore, in certain implementations, it is important tonotify the user only of those emergencies that warrant the user'sattention. In an exemplary embodiment, the emergency message applicationresiding on a smartphone based personal emergency message transceiver124 can be configured to only alert the user to hazardous weather ornatural disasters within a certain radius of the current location of theuser. For example, and not limitation, the user can configure theemergency message application to provide notifications regarding tornadowarnings within 20 miles of the user. In this example, the user might betraveling in a car and receive an emergency message via the emergencymessage application that a tornado warning had been issued for thecounty through which the user is currently traveling through. Once theuser has traveled beyond that county, the user would no longer receivean emergency message regarding a tornado warning in that county.Therefore, the location based feature of the emergency messageapplication can significantly limit the number of emergency messagesdelivered to the user by updating in real time the location of thesmartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124 and onlyproviding emergency messages relevant to the current position of thepersonal emergency message transceiver 124.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the emergency messageapplication of the emergency message system control center 300 can beconfigured to provide emergency messages according to the preferencesand parameters of the user. For example, and not limitation, theemergency message application could be configured to only provideemergency messages regarding earthquakes. In this example, a particularuser living in a earthquake prone area may place a high importance onreceiving immediate emergency messages from the emergency message systemcontrol center 300 regarding the occurrence of an earthquake, but theuser may be uninterested in any other types of emergency messagesgenerated by the emergency message system control center 300. In analternative example, a user may configure the emergency messageapplication to only receive emergency messages regarding traffic issuesin a particular region. In this example, the user may have a deliveryroute in a particular geographic region and only be concerned withreceiving emergency messages from the emergency message system controlcenter 300 regarding significant traffic emergencies in the geographicregion of interest. In an exemplary embodiment, the emergency messageapplication receives all of the emergency messages broadcast by theemergency message system control center 300, and the emergency messageapplication filters the messages that are to be provided to the user ofthe personal emergency message transceiver 124. In an alternativeembodiment, the emergency message system control center 300 isresponsible for filtering the messages and only distributes thoseemergency messages to a particular personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 that the emergency message application for thattransceiver 124 has been configured to receive.

Not only can the emergency message application be configured to providethe user with control over the types of emergency messages received, theemergency message application can provide the user with control overtime parameters for when messages are received. In an exemplaryembodiment, the user can configure the emergency message application toprovide certain types of emergency messages at certain times of the day.For example, and not limitation, the user can configure the emergencymessage application to provide emergency messages regarding traffic onlyduring the morning rush hour and afternoon rush hour, emergency messagesregarding thunderstorms and tornados only in the evening, and all othertypes of emergency messages at any time during the day. Additionally,the emergency message application can be configured to receive certaintypes of emergency messages based upon the location of the user. Forexample, and not limitation, the emergency message application can beconfigured to provide emergency messages regarding earthquakes when thesmartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124 is inCalifornia, and emergency messages regarding tornadoes when thesmartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124 is inKansas. Additionally, the emergency message application can beconfigured to provide emergency messages based on seasonal changes, suchas providing hurricane alerts during hurricane season.

In an alternative embodiment, the emergency message application can beconfigured to provide emergency messages without regard to the locationof the smartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124. Inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, theemergency message system control center 300 can be configured to provideemergency messages and information to the emergency message applicationon smartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124regardless of whether the smartphone has a GPS device capable ofproviding location based information. More specifically, the emergencymessage application can be configured to receive emergency messages fromthe emergency message system control center 300 without providing anyinformation regarding the current location of the user. In this example,the user can configure the emergency message application to provideemergency messages based upon a selected city, state, zip code, or othergeographic parameter. Furthermore, the user can select more than onecity or geographic area from which to receive emergency messages. Forexample, and not limitation, a user residing in Washington D.C. withfamily in San Francisco can select to receive emergency messageinformation from the emergency message system control center 300 relatedto both Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Therefore, a user of theemergency message application can stay informed about emergencies inboth their home city and also the city where family members reside.

In addition to setting parameters in the emergency message applicationregarding location and time of day, an exemplary embodiment of theemergency message application can be configured to provide certain typesor levels of emergencies. In an exemplary embodiment, the emergencymessage system control center 300 assigns a level of priority to eachemergency message. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, the user canconfigure the emergency message application to provide notification ofonly the highest level emergencies or perhaps both the moderate and highlevel emergencies.

Another embodiment of the transceivers residing in the transceivernetwork 100 are configured to detect emergency 911 calls from mobilecommunication devices, such as a mobile telephone, radio, pager, cellphone or the like. Such mobile communication devices include with thevoice communications other information that identifies the mobilecommunication device. For example, some mobile communication devicesemploy an upper channel of the RF signal for communication of the otherinformation. Another embodiment employs header information or the likein a digital communication signal. Such information is typically usedfor the determination of telephone related services, such as longdistance telephone charges. When a person has subscribed to a servicethat employs the transceiver network 100 for the detection of emergencymessages, the transceivers within the transceiver network are configuredto recognize that the emergency 911 call is generated by a subscribingcustomer. Accordingly, the emergency 911 call is recognized as anemergency message and is subsequently relayed onto the energy messagemanagement controller 302 (FIG. 3) as described above. This embodimentis particularly advantageous in that the emergency message managementcontroller 302 may provide additional services and/or provide additionalinformation to interested parties.

The above-described embodiments of the transceivers configured to detectemergency 911 calls are particularly advantageous in determining thelocation of the device generating the emergency 911 call. For example, aperson or small child making a 911 call may not be able to indicatelocation for any number of reasons. Accordingly, transceivers detectingthe emergency 911 call generate an emergency message that includes theidentification code of the detecting transceiver. When the emergencymessage is relayed to the emergency message management controller 302(FIG. 3), the location of the transmitting transceiver is preciselyknown since location information of the transceiver, included indatabase 314 (FIG. 3), is associated with the identification codecontained in the received emergency message. Accordingly, the emergencymessage management controller 302, based upon the known location of thetransceiver detecting the emergency 911 call, may closely approximatethe location of the device generating the emergency 911 calls.Furthermore, if multiple transceivers in the transceiver network 100detect the broadcasted emergency 911 call, the emergency messagemanagement controller logic 316 executes a position determinationalgorithm to triangulate more precisely the location of the devicegenerating the emergency 911 call.

Furthermore, the emergency message management controller 302 may beconfigured to notify other interested parties that an emergency 911phone call has been detected. Accordingly, the emergency messagemanagement controller 302 is configured to provide a message to thecontrol room operators 304 with instructions to manually call anotherinterested party. For example, the control room operators 304 may bedirected to call the mother when the husband or a child using a mobilecommunication device makes an emergency 911 call. As another example,the control room operators 304 may be directed to call a familyphysician, attorney, employer or the like when an emergency 911 call isdetected. Another embodiment of the transceivers residing in thetransceiver network 100 are configured to detect the actual voicemessage associated with the 911 emergency call and relay the voicecommunications from the mobile communication device to the control roomoperators 304, via the emergency message management controller 302, asdescribed above. Accordingly, the control room operators provideadditional information to the called third party such as the approximatelocation of the mobile communication device and the nature of theemergency.

Additionally, the energy message management controller 302, uponreceiving an emergency message associated with a detected emergency 911call, is configured to look up in the database 314 (FIG. 3) personalinformation associated with a person who may have made the emergency 911call. Accordingly, the emergency message management controller 302provides instructions to the control room operators to call the summonedemergency service providers so that additional information may beprovided. For example, database 314 may have information indicating thatthe person(s) may be subject to an allergic reaction to particularsubstances. The emergency message management controller 302 instructsthe control room operators 304 to call the person receiving the actualemergency 911 call, or other interested emergency service providers suchas the ambulance technicians or a doctor, to provide informationregarding the possible allergic reactions of the customer.

i. Operation of the Emergency Message Management Controller

FIG. 7 is a flow chart 700 illustrating a process for communicating anemergency message generated by one of the transceivers of FIGS. 1-2 and4-6. The flow chart 700 shows the architecture, functionality, andoperation of a possible implementation of the software associated withthe emergency message management controller logic 316 (FIG. 3). In thisregard, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code,which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing thespecified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occurout of the order noted in FIG. 7, or may include additional functions,without departing significantly from the functionality of the process ofthe emergency message management controller 702. For example, two blocksshown in succession in FIG. 7 may in fact be executed substantiallyconcurrently, the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,or some of the blocks may not be executed in all instances, dependingupon the functionality involved, as will be further clarified hereinbelow. All such modifications and variations are intended to be includedherein within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by theaccompanying claims.

When the emergency message management controller logic 316 isimplemented as software and stored in memory 310 (FIG. 3), the emergencymessage management controller logic 316 can be stored on any computerreadable medium for use by or in connection with any computer and/orprocessor related system or method. In the context of this document, amemory 310 is a computer readable medium that is an electronic,magnetic, optical, or other another physical device or means thatcontains or stores a computer and/or processor program. The emergencymessage management controller logic 316 can be embodied in any computerreadable medium for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system,processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch theinstructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or deviceand execute the instructions associated with the emergency messagemanagement controller logic 316. In the context of this specification, a“computer readable medium” can be any means that can store, communicate,propagate, or transport the program associated with the emergencymessage management controller logic 316 for use by or in connection withthe instruction execution system, apparatus, and/or device. The computerreadable medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (anonexhaustive list) of the computer readable medium would include thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portablecomputer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, orFlash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (CDROM). Note that the computer-readable medium, could even bepaper or another suitable medium upon which the program associated withthe emergency message management controller logic 316 is printed, as theprogram can be electronically captured, via for instance opticalscanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted orotherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then storedin memory 310 or in another suitable memory.

The process starts at block 702 when an emergency situation arises. Atblock 704, a transceiver is actuated in response to the emergency suchthat an emergency message is broadcasted over the transceiver network100 (FIG. 1). At block 706, the emergency message is received at theemergency message management controller 302 (FIG. 3) in a mannerdescribed above. At block 708, the emergency message managementcontroller 302 executes the emergency message management controllerlogic 316. Accordingly, a suitably formatted emergency message isprovided to the control room operators 304 (FIG. 3) that includesinformation of interest such that the control room operators summon theappropriate emergency assistance.

At block 710, a determination is made whether or not other informationshould be provided. If no other information is provided at block 710(the NO condition), the process returns to block 702. If otherinformation should be provided to the control room operators 304 (theYES condition), the other information is provided to the control roomoperators 304 at block 712. As described above, such information mayinclude, but is not limited to, the identification code of each thetransceivers, the location of the transceiver, and the nature of theemergency situation.

At block 714, a determination is made whether or not other interestedparties should be notified. If no other interested parties are to benotified at block 710 (the NO condition), the process returns to block702. If other information should be provided to the control roomoperators 304 (the YES condition), the other information is provided tothe control room operators 304 at block 716. For example, the emergencymessage management controller logic 316 may determine that a spouse,other relative, employer or other individual(s) identified in thedatabase 314 should be notified of the received emergency message. Theprocess then returns to block 702 to await the next emergency situation.

j. Transceiver Maintenance Feature

One embodiment described above employs transceivers configured totransmit emergency messages back to the emergency message managementcontroller 302 (FIG. 3). Each transceiver includes its uniqueidentification code as part of the broadcasted emergency message.Location information for each transceiver, identified in database 314(FIG. 3), is determined by associating the identification code in thereceived emergency message with the corresponding location information(identified by the corresponding identification code). Transceiverstransmitting information back to the emergency message managementcontroller 302, in one embodiment, are configured to include logic thatindicates the operational status of the monitoring device and/or itsassociated components back to the emergency message managementcontroller 302. The emergency message management controller logic 316(FIG. 3) includes a transceiver maintenance function that evaluatesreceived status and information from the signals transmitted by thetransceivers such that the operational integrity of the monitoringdevice is accessed. That is, if a component in the monitoring devicefails, the status information indicates failure of that component. Theemergency message management controller logic 316 provides theappropriate indication to the control room operators 304 such thatmaintenance personnel are dispatched out to the monitoring device toeffect a repair of the non-functioning or improperly functioningcomponent.

One embodiment employing the above-described maintenance feature employstransceivers configured to periodically transmit status information tothe emergency message management controller 302 at predefined timeintervals. Another embodiment employs transceivers configured to respondto a status information request generated by the emergency messagemanagement controller 302. Here, logic residing in the emergency messagemanagement controller logic 316 performs a maintenance function whereinpre-selected transceivers are requested to provide status information.Another embodiment employs transceivers configured to generate periodicstatus reports to the emergency message management controller 302 andare configured to respond to requests for status information from theEmergency message management controller 302. In yet another embodiment,all three types of the above-described transceivers are employed tocommunicate status information to the emergency message managementcontroller 302.

When the transceiver components that broadcast the status informationfails, such as, but not limited to, the transceiver itself, the failureis detected by a loss of signal. Thus, in an embodiment employing atransceiver that is to provide an acknowledgement signal, or provide astatus signal in response to a status information request, or is toprovide periodic status information reports, the failure of thetransceiver to respond or provide information at scheduled times and/oris response to a status inquiry indicates a component failure.

Summarizing, the above-described embodiment includes a maintenancefunctionality such that the operational status of the transceiversresiding in the transceiver network 100 (FIG. 1) and/or monitoringdevices are monitored to ensure continuous operational functionality.Other components of the above-described communication network, such asthe detectors and/or their components, may be also monitored. Thus, adetected failure in a transceiver, transceiver component, detectorand/or a detector component may be quickly detected such thatmaintenance personnel are dispatched to repair the failed transceiver,detector or components. This embodiment is particularly advantageous inproviding an emergency message system having a high degree ofoperational reliability and integrity.

k. Defining Transceiver Communication Paths

For convenience describing the operation and functionality of thetransceiver network 100 (FIG. 1), a simplified description of thecommunication paths employed by the plurality of transceivers isdescribed above. In one embodiment, all transceivers employed in thetransceiver network have both capability to receive broadcasted signalsand to broadcast signals. However, many of the transceivers have alimited transmit signal range as the strength of the broadcasted signalis relatively low. This embodiment is particularly suited in transceivernetwork 100 configurations employing a large number of transceiverslocated in close proximity to other transceivers.

In one embodiment, the communication path that a transceiver employs forbroadcasting signals is predefined. For example, transceiver 102 a inFIG. 1 was described above as transmitting emergency messages totransceiver unit 106 over the path defined by signals 114 a, 118 a and118 c. That is, when the transceiver unit 106 receives an emergencymessage from transceiver 102 a, transceiver stations 112 a and 112 c areconfigured to relay the signal to the transceiver unit 106. Here, if thetransceiver station 112 c detects the emergency message from transceiver102 a, transceiver station 112 c simply ignores the detected emergencymessage and does not relay the emergency message.

In one embodiment, transmission paths for all transceivers arepredetermined by the emergency message management controller 302 (FIG.3). Path information is broadcasted out to all components of thetransceiver network 100, transceiver stations, transceiver units andsite controllers. This information is stored in a memory residing in orcoupled to each of the components of the transceiver network 100,transceiver stations, transceiver units and site controllers. Eachcomponent then configures itself to react only to those signals forwhich it is part of the predefined path. Thus, when the transceiver unit102 b detects an emergency message from transceiver 102 a, transceiverunits 102 b recognizes that it is not part of the path to transceiver102 a, and simply takes no action.

In one embodiment, the communication paths are defined by using theidentification codes associated with each transceiver, andidentification codes assigned to the transceiver stations, transceiverunits and site controllers. For example, if site controller 104 isdefined by the identification code “104”, transceiver unit 106 isdefined by the identification code “106”, transceiver station 112 c isdefined by the identification code “112 c”, transceiver station 112 a isdefined by the identification code “112 a”, and transceiver 102 a isdefined by the identification code “102 a”, the path between the sitecontroller 104 and transceiver 102 a is simply defined by a code such as104.106.112 c.112 a.102 a (where each number corresponds to thecomponent identification code). Other suitable codes are easily defined.

Such a system is described in detail in the commonly assigned patententitled “MULTIFUNCTION GENERAL PURPOSE TRANSCEIVER,” filed Mar. 18,1999, and accorded U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,327B1, issued on May 15, 2001 andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment of the emergency message system, failure of atransceiver or a transceiver component is detected in a manner describedabove. When such a failure is detected, communications with othertransceivers may be disrupted if the failed transceiver or transceivercomponent is in the communication path of other transceivers. In such asituation, upon the detection of the failed transceiver or transceivercomponent, the emergency message management controller 302 (FIG. 3)redefines communication paths for affected transceivers, and transmitsthe redefined paths out to the transceivers, transceiver stations,transceiver units and site controllers such that the paths areredefined. For example, transceiver station 112 a (FIG. 1) may fail.Thus, transceivers 102 a, 102 b and 102 c (FIG. 1) will not be incommunication with the emergency message management controller 302 (FIG.3). The communication path for transceiver 102 c would then be redefinedsuch that transceiver 102 c is communicating with transceiver 102 d(assuming that transceiver 102 d is sufficiently close to transceiver102 c to detect signals broadcasted from transceiver 102 c). Thus,transceiver 102 c is in communication with the transceiver unit 106(FIG. 1) through a newly defined path indicated by the signals 128 a,114 d, 118 b and 118 c (FIG. 1). Here, transceiver 102 d is operating asboth an emergency message transceiver (when communicating emergencymessages from the customer premises 103 d) and a network transceiver(when communicating emergency messages from other transceivers).

Similarly, the communication path for transceiver 102 b is thenredefined such that transceiver 102 b is communicating with transceiver102 c (assuming that transceiver 102 c is sufficiently close totransceiver 102 b to detect signals broadcasted from transceiver 102 b).Thus, transceiver 102 b would be in communication with the transceiverunit 106 through a newly defined path indicated by the signals 128 b,128 a, 114 d, 118 b and 118 c (FIG. 1). Here, transceivers 102 c and 102d are operating as both an emergency message transceiver (whencommunicating emergency messages from the customer premises 103 c and103 d, respectively) and a network transceiver (when communicatingemergency messages from other transceivers).

Similarly, the communication path for transceiver 102 a is thenredefined such that transceiver 102 a is communicating with transceiver102 b (assuming that transceiver 102 b is sufficiently close totransceiver 102 a to detect signals broadcasted from transceiver 102 a).Thus, transceiver 102 a would be in communication with the transceiverunit 106 through a newly defined path indicated by the signals 128 c,128 b, 128 a, 114 d, 118 b and 118 c (FIG. 1). Here, transceivers 102 b,102 c and 102 d are operating as both an emergency message transceiver(when communicating emergency messages from the customer premises 103 b,103 c and 103 d, respectively) and a network transceiver (whencommunicating emergency messages from other transceivers).

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the possible communicationpaths in a transceiver network 100 are nearly limitless, and that suchcommunication paths are easily redefined by the emergency messagemanagement controller 302. The above described examples are intended toillustrate some of the alternative redefined communication paths toexplain the operation and functionality of the maintenance feature ofone embodiment of the emergency message communication system.

l. Alternative Embodiments of the Emergency Message Communication System

For convenience of describing the operation and functionality of theemergency message management controller 302 (FIG. 3), the emergencymessage management controller 302 was illustrated as a stand-alone unit.The emergency message management controller 302, in an alternativeembodiment, is implemented as an integral component of another system,such as, but not limited to, a security monitoring system, withoutdeparting substantially from the operation and functionality of theemergency message system.

Furthermore, the components illustrated as residing in the emergencymessage management controller 302 may reside in alternative convenientlocations outside of the emergency message management controller 302without adversely affecting the operation and functionality of theemergency message system. Such components may even be integrated withother existing components residing in the emergency message systemcontrol center, thereby minimizing the cost of implementing an emergencymessage system.

For example, the database 314 residing in the memory 310 (FIG. 3) may beimplemented in a memory unit residing in an alternative location, suchas the control console 322. Thus, information provided used theemergency message system could simply be transferred to a databaseresiding in the alternative location.

Similarly, the emergency message management controller logic 316 (FIG.3) could reside in a convenient alternative location and be executed bya different processor that resides in a convenient alternative location.Also, the interface 312 may be implemented as a stand-alone interfaceunit residing in a convenient location. For example, interface 312 maybe implemented as a stand-alone PC, a network PC, a dedicatedintra-network interface or the like that performs the functionality ofreceiving information through a communication network from the sitecontroller 104 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

For convenience of describing the operation and functionality of theemergency message management controller 302 (FIG. 3), the emergencymessage management controller 302 was illustrated as a stand-alone unitresiding within the emergency message system control center 300. Anotherembodiment of the emergency message management controller resides in analternative convenient location outside of the emergency message systemcontrol center 300. In such an embodiment, connection 324 may be aconnection of suitable length to provide connectivity between processor308 and the control console 322. In other embodiments, connection 324may include a plurality of components that provides connectivity over aspecial purpose network or an existing, general purpose network. Forexample, the emergency message management controller 302 could be incommunication with the emergency message system over any one of thecommunication systems described above and illustrated in FIG. 4. Such aconfiguration is easily implemented using appropriate interfacecomponents. Such interface components residing in an emergency messagemanagement controller that are configured to transmit, receive andconvert signals are known in the art and, therefore, are not describedin detail herein other than to the extent necessary to understand theoperation and functioning of these components when employed as part ofthe emergency message system that is remote from the emergency messagesystem control center 300. One skilled in the art will realize that suchknown components are too numerous to describe in detail herein, and thatany configuration of such known components having the above-describedfunctionality may be implemented without departing substantially fromthe emergency message system.

The embodiment of the emergency message system was described herein toinclude a plurality of transceiver units configured to communicate basedupon a predefined communication path specified by the emergency messagemanagement controller 302. An alternative embodiment is configured tocommunicate with other special purpose systems that employ compatibletransceivers. For example, a system for monitoring emergency, alarm,climate, or other conditions in a defined territory is disclosed in theco-pending commonly assigned non-provisional application entitled“SYSTEM FOR MONITORING CONDITIONS IN A RESIDENTIAL LIVING COMMUNITY,”filed Mar. 18, 1999, and accorded Ser. No. 09/271,517, incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. Another system for controllingelectricity demand in a defined territory is disclosed in the co-pendingcommonly assigned non-provisional application entitled “SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER DEMAND OVER AN INTEGRATED WIRELESSNETWORK,” filed Aug. 15, 2001, and accorded Ser. No. 09/929,926,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The above applicationsdescribe a computerized system for monitoring power and/or otherconditions in a defined territory using a network of transceiverscommunicating back to a remote facility via a plurality of repeaters anda central system (such as a site controller). The plurality oftransceivers configured for monitoring power and/or other conditions ina defined territory are integrated with a plurality of transceivers forcontrolling customer premises appliances, thereby reducing overallfacility, maintenance and installation costs by employing common units.For example, a transceiver controlling an air conditioning unit or atransceiver monitoring metered demand (in accordance with the Ser. No.09/929,926 application) may be integrated to communicate through sametransceiver stations, transceiver units and/or site controllerscommunication emergency messages. The integrated system would simplyrecognize the transceiver communicating an emergency message andappropriately route communications to and/or from that transceiver tothe appropriate remote facility. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat an emergency message communication system described herein isinterpretable into any other special purpose system or a multipurposesystem based upon a network of similarly configured transceivers thatcommunicate through common components.

Another embodiment of the emergency message system is configured to givecommunicated emergency messages the highest priority with respect toother communications. For example, but not limited to, an emergencymessage system may be integrated with another system employing atransceiver network, as described above. The transceiver network wouldthen have a multiplicity of functions, one of which is the communicationof emergency messages. If other communications are being communicatedacross the network, such communications will utilize available bandwidthof the network. When the bandwidth of the network is substantiallyutilized, such as when large amounts of data are being communicated, anemergency message can be designated, tagged, or otherwise identified ashaving a high priority. Network transceivers, upon receiving anemergency message identified with a high priority would stop, halt,delay the communication of other messages and/or otherwise makeavailable bandwidth such that emergency message is communicated on apriority basis. Such an embodiment is advantageous when a transceivernetwork is utilized for a plurality of functions and in ensuring thatemergency messages are communicated as quickly as possible.

Another embodiment employs a power line carrier (PLC) signal tocommunicate signals from detectors such that a receiving transceivergenerates emergency messages into an emergency message system. Forexample, but not limited to, smoke detector 204 a (FIG. 1), in oneembodiment, is supplied power via wire 224 which is coupled to theelectric distribution network (not shown) within the customer premises200. Rather than being coupled to the transceiver 202 a, the smokedetector communicates signals to the transceiver 226 using PLC signals.

Transceiver 226 is coupled to the electric distribution network at asuitable location. For convenience of illustration, transceiver 226 isillustrated as being coupled to the electrical outlet 228. Oneembodiment employs a standard outlet spade-type connector (not shown) tocouple the transceiver 226 to the electric distribution network. Anotherembodiment of the transceiver 226 is coupled to the outlet 228 with wireconnections coupled at suitable connection points. Other embodiments ofthe transceiver 226 is coupled to another suitable location on theelectric distribution network such that the transceiver 226 is able toreliably receive signals from the smoke detector 204 a.

Thus, when the smoke detector 204 a detects smoke, a PLC signal iscommunicated from the smoke detector 204 a to the transceiver 226 overthe electric distribution network. Upon receiving a PLC signal from thesmoke detector 204 a, the transceiver 226 generates and communicates anemergency signal in any one of the previously described manners. Thecommunication of PLC signals, and the equipment that generates PLCsignals, is known in the art, and is therefore not described in furtherdetail other than to the extent necessary to understand thecommunication of PLC signals to a transceiver employed as part of anemergency signal system.

Other detectors coupled to the electric distribution network may also beconfigured to generate PLC signals that are communicated to transceiver226. Such an embodiment of an integrated security system employingdetectors communicating to transceiver 226 with PLC signals isparticularly advantageous when it is desirable to limit the number oftransceivers employed in the emergency message system.

Another embodiment of the always-on appliance is configured tocommunicate with at least one transceiver using PLC signals. Forexample, but not limited to, the cable TV set box 504 (FIG. 5) iscoupled to the electric distribution network (not shown). Rather thancoupling the cable TV set box 504 to the transceiver 502, as illustratedin FIG. 5, the cable TV set box 504 is configured to communicateemergency messages using a PLC signal to a transceiver (not shown)coupled to the electric distribution network. Furthermore, any of theabove describe always-on appliances can be configured to communicateemergence messages with transceivers using PLC signals.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a smartphone basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 in communication with theemergency message system control center 300 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, thepersonal emergency message transceiver 124 is a smartphone and can beconfigured with an emergency message application 805. In an exemplaryembodiment, the emergency message application 805 is softwareapplication that runs on the smartphone. The network architecture shownin the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 10 enables the smartphone basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 to communicate with theemergency message system control center 300. In the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 8, the smartphone based personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 can utilize two primary communication links to theemergency message system control center 300.

First, the smartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124can utilize the cellular link 820 to connect to a cellular base station810, as shown in FIG. 8. Those of skill in the art will appreciate thatthe cellular base station 810 can enable connection to a variety ofdifferent networks connected to the cellular communication network,including the Internet 412. Once connected to the Internet 412, datatraffic from the smartphone based personal emergency message transceiver124 can be transmitted to the emergency message system control center300. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment the smartphone basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 is enabled to exchange datarelated to the emergency message application 805 via the standardcellular communication path of the smartphone.

Second, as shown in FIG. 8, the smartphone based personal emergencymessage transceiver 124 can also utilize the data link 825 to connect toa wireless router 815. Those of skill in the art will appreciate thatthe wireless router 815 can enable connection to the Internet 412. Thewireless router 815 can be any type of router with Internetconnectivity, such as a wireless router operating on one of the IEEE 802family of standards, including 802.11 wireless LAN, 802.14 cable modems,802.15 wireless PAN, 802.15.1 bluetooth, 802.15.4 ZigBee, and 802.16Broadband Wireless Access WiMAX. Once connected to the Internet 412,data traffic from the smartphone based personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 can be transmitted and received with the emergencymessage system control center 300. In accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the user of the smartphone basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 can be enabled to communicatewith the emergency message system control center 300 via either thecellular link 820 or the data link 825 in accordance with the preferenceof the user.

In an exemplary embodiment, the smartphone based personal emergencymessage transceiver 124 can be in active communication with theemergency message system control center 300 via the cellular link 820.Accordingly, the emergency message system control center 300 canbroadcast emergency messages to the emergency message application 805 onthe smartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124 via thecellular link 820. In an exemplary embodiment, the emergency messageapplication 805 performs the function of determining whether aparticular emergency message matches the parameters configured by theuser for desired emergency messages. Thus, in this implementation, theemergency message system control center 300 transmits all emergencymessages to the smartphone based personal emergency message transceiver124 and the emergency message application 805 filters those messages. Inan alternative embodiment, the emergency message application 805 isconfigured to transmit the user's preferences to the emergency messagesystem control center 300 and the emergency message system controlcenter 300 only transmits those emergency messages to the smartphonebased personal emergency message transceiver 124 that match the user'sconfiguration parameters for emergency messages.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a laptop basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 in communication with theemergency message system control center 300 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, thepersonal emergency message transceiver 124 is a laptop including awireless communication device and an emergency message application 805.In an exemplary embodiment, the emergency message application 805 is asoftware application that runs on the laptop. The network architectureshown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 enables the laptop basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 to communicate with theemergency message system control center 300.

As described above, various embodiments of the personal emergencymessage transceiver 124 can communicate directly with the emergencymessage system control center 300 or through an intermediatecommunication unit. The laptop based personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 is enabled to communicate with site controller 104through the data link 825 to connect to a wireless router 815. In anexemplary embodiment, the site controller 104 can aggregate, control,and maintain emergency message communication from a variety of personalemergency message transceivers 124. Once connected to the sitecontroller 104, data traffic from the laptop based personal emergencymessage transceiver 124 can be transmitted to the emergency messagesystem control center 300 via the Internet 412. In accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user of thesmartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124 can beenabled to communicate with the emergency message system control center300 via either the cellular link 820 or the data link 825 in accordancewith the preference of the user.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a tablet basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 in communication with theemergency message system control center 300 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, thepersonal emergency message transceiver 124 is a tablet and can beconfigured with an emergency message application 805. In an exemplaryembodiment, the emergency message application 805 is a softwareapplication that runs on the tablet. The network architecture shown inthe exemplary embodiment in FIG. 10 enables the tablet based personalemergency message transceiver 124 to communicate with the emergencymessage system control center 300. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 10, the tablet based personal emergency message transceiver 124 canutilize two primary communication links to the emergency message systemcontrol center 300.

First, the tablet based personal emergency message transceiver 124 canutilize the cellular link 820 to connect to a cellular base station 810,as shown in FIG. 10. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that thecellular base station 810 can enable connection to a variety ofdifferent networks, including the Internet 412. Once connected to theInternet 412, data traffic from the tablet based personal emergencymessage transceiver 124 can be transmitted and received with theemergency message system control center 300.

Second, as shown in FIG. 10, the tablet based personal emergency messagetransceiver 124 can also utilize the data link 825 to connect to awireless router 815. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that thewireless router 815 can enable connection to the Internet 412. Onceconnected to the Internet 412, data traffic from the tablet basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 can be transmitted to theemergency message system control center 300. In accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user of the tabletbased personal emergency message transceiver 124 can be enabled tocommunicate with the emergency message system control center 300 viaeither the cellular link 820 or the data link 825 in accordance with thepreference of the user.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a smartphone basedpersonal emergency message transceiver 124 in communication with theemergency message system control center 300 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplaryembodiment, the emergency message application residing on a smartphonebased personal emergency message transceiver 124 can be configured toonly alert the user to hazardous weather or natural disasters within acertain radius of the current location of the user. In an exemplaryembodiment, the emergency message application 805 can be configured todesignate a emergency notification radius 1105, shown in FIG. 11, withina predetermined area around the user's smartphone based personalemergency message transceiver 124 for which to receive emergencymessages. In an exemplary embodiment, the emergency message systemcontrol center 300 will provide emergency messages to the smartphonebased personal emergency message transceiver 124 that are relevant tothe emergency notification radius 1105. In this example, the user mightbe traveling in a car and receive an emergency message via the emergencymessage application of a tornado warning inside the emergencynotification radius 1105. The emergency message application is enabledto send GPS location information to the emergency message system controlcenter 300 to provide a real time update as to the current location ofthe smartphone based personal emergency message transceiver 124.Therefore, the emergency message system control center 300 can provideaccurate and real time emergency messages relevant to only the emergencynotification radius 1105 of the user.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of theinvention without departing substantially from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the presentinvention and protected by the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A system for communicating emergency messages to a mobiledevice having a personal emergency message transceiver, the systemcomprising: an emergency message application installed on the mobiledevice and communicatively connected with the personal emergency messagetransceiver; wherein the emergency message application is enabled toreceive one or more emergency messages from the personal emergencymessage transceiver; wherein the emergency message application includesone or more user-configurable preferences including instructions toprovide an emergency message if a geographical area associated with theemergency message corresponds to a predetermined radius about a currentlocation of the mobile device; and wherein the emergency messageapplication is enabled to instruct the mobile device to display anindication of the one or more emergency messages.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the mobile device comprises a global positioning system (GPS)communicatively connected to the emergency message application.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the GPS is configured to provide locationdata indicative of the current location of the mobile device to theemergency message application.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein thelocation data is associated with a geographic parameter corresponding tothe current location of the mobile device.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the personal emergency message transceiver is enabled tocommunicate with a wireless router.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe emergency message application is configured to communicate with anemergency message system control center via an Internet connectionprovided by the wireless router.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein theemergency message system control center provides the one or moreemergency messages to the personal emergency message transceiver.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the emergency message application isconfigured to communicate with a social media application.
 9. The systemof claim 8, wherein the emergency message application is configured toreceive a geographic parameter corresponding to the current location ofthe mobile device from the social media application.
 10. A mobilewireless communication device comprising: a transceiver configured toreceive one or more emergency messages generated by an emergency messagesystem control center; a memory; an emergency message applicationoperatively connected to the memory and the transceiver, wherein theemergency message application is configured to receive the one or moreemergency messages from the transceiver; wherein the emergency messageapplication includes one or more user-configurable preferences includinginstructions to provide an emergency message if a geographical areaassociated with the emergency message corresponds to a user-selectedgeographical area and a geographic parameter corresponding to a currentlocation of the mobile wireless communication device; and wherein theemergency message application is configured to instruct the mobiledevice to display an indication of the one or more emergency messages.11. The mobile wireless communication device of claim 10, furthercomprising a global positioning system (GPS) communicatively connectedwith the emergency message application.
 12. The mobile wirelesscommunication device of claim 11, wherein the GPS is configured toprovide location data regarding a current location of the mobilewireless communication device to the emergency message application. 13.The mobile wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein thelocation data is associated with the geographic parameter correspondingto the current location of the mobile wireless communication device. 14.The mobile wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein thetransceiver is enabled to communicate with a wireless router.
 15. Themobile wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein the emergencymessage application is configured to communicate with the emergencymessage system control center via an Internet connection provided by thewireless router.
 16. The mobile wireless communication device of claim10, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is configured toreceive the one or more emergency messages from an emergency messagecontrol center via the transceiver.
 17. The mobile wirelesscommunication device of claim 10, wherein the emergency messageapplication is configured to communicate with a social mediaapplication.
 18. The mobile wireless communication device of claim 17,wherein the emergency message application is configured to receive thegeographic parameter corresponding to the current location of the mobilewireless communication device from the social media application.
 19. Awireless communication device comprising: a transceiver configured toreceive one or more emergency messages; a memory; and an emergencymessage application operatively connected to the memory and thetransceiver wherein the emergency message application is enabled toreceive the one or more emergency messages from the transceiver; whereinthe emergency message application is configured to instruct the wirelesscommunication device to provide an indication of the one or moreemergency messages if (i) a geographical area associated with theemergency message corresponds to a user-selected geographical area and(ii) the geographical area associated with the emergency messagecorresponds to a geographic parameter corresponding to a currentapproximated location of the wireless communication device.
 20. Thewireless communication device of claim 19, further comprising a globalpositioning system (GPS), the GPS configured to provide location data tothe emergency message application and wherein the one or more emergencymessages are generated based on the location data.